For Amanda Russell, A Single Tweet Turns Into A $20k College Scholarship

For Calif. Student, A Single Tweet Turns Into A $20k College Scholarship

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) -- A California high school senior has turned a single tweet into a $20,000 college scholarship.

The Twitter entry from 17-year-old Amanda Russell was selected Wednesday from more than 2,800 tweets that competed for the scholarship offered by a foundation for the Louisville-based KFC restaurant chain.

Russell reached the 140 character limit for the contest, so she'll get $142 per character to pursue her college dreams.

The winning tweet refers to the chain's late founder Colonel Harland Sanders and says: "Hey Colonel! Your scholarship's the secret ingredient missing from my recipe for success! Got the grades, drive, just need cash!"

Russell has compiled a 3.9 grade point average at her Long Beach high school. She says she plans to major in biology and pursue a career as a doctor or medical researcher.

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